It was as if time stopped all around me. I knew that there were people around me yelling and cheering, bringing in the new year loudly and happily. But I felt like I was frozen. I watched as people hugged their friends and kissed their lovers, but it felt like I was watching a video that was put in slow motion. I felt my mouth hanging open in shock as I tried to process what I heard.

Surely it couldn't be true?

I watched as Aiden, Trey, and David ran up to us, happiness written all over their faces. They looked goofy as hell, and I knew that if I wasn't in stuck in some mind trap of disbelief, I would be smiling at the fact that we were all together again. With no drama. But of course, that's too much to ask for.

They were talking to us. I could see their mouths moving, but I couldn't hear anything coming out of them. I was too busy staring at Bianca like she grew another head. And she was too busy looking at me with worry etched into her features.

"I'm sorry, you're what now?" I nearly screamed, still not over the shock.

Bianca's eyes widened in alarm. "Shh!" She cast a sideways glance at the boys. "Please, not in front of them."

I crossed my arms. "Well then where would you like to discuss this?"

"Anywhere but here." Her eyes pleaded with me.

Sighing, I relented. "Fine, let's go somewhere to talk."

I made a move to leave with Bianca, but Aiden took my arm and spun me around.

"What exactly is happening here?" He questioned, confused. David and Trey looked at me expectantly, waiting for an explanation for our weird behavior.

So I put on my biggest, fakest smile. "Nothing! Happy New Year baby, I'll see you later!" I pulled Aiden down by his collar into a quick, but oh so satisfying kiss, and pulled away.

Before any of them could protest again, I grabbed Bianca and led her outside of the house as quickly as I could. I shivered once we went through the front door, wishing I remembered where I put my coat. I really like that coat, I hope it isn't gone forever.

We walked and walked in silence, looking for a good place to sit down and talk. It wasn't really an uncomfortable silence, but the tension in the air between us was palpable. I tried to let my mind wander to less heavy topics, preferably anything that didn't involve wondering how in the hell my best friend managed to get pregnant. I mostly ended up thinking about how damn cold it was and cursing myself for not remembering where I put my things.

Eventually, we reached the diner that Cameron and I had our heart to heart in. It reminded me that I haven't hung out with him in a bit, and that I should reach out to him sometime soon. I pulled the door to the diner open and stepped in, welcoming the heat as Bianca walked in behind me. I found a nice, secluded booth in the corner of the diner, and I slid into it. Not that it mattered really. It was only a little bit after midnight on New Year's day, so it was safe to say that the diner wasn't packed to capacity.

An older waitress walked up to our table just as Bianca made herself comfortable and smiled at us tiredly. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and her uniform was starting to get a little wrinkled. I felt bad- it's because of people like us that she was stuck working a graveyard shift on such a major holiday. I gave her a sympathetic smile.

"How may I help you this evening?" She asked in the cheeriest voice that she could muster. Does 12:30 am still count as the evening? Ah, she's tired. I'll cut her some slack.

"Can I get a coffee with cream and sugar?"

She smiled and scribbled down my order.

"Anything else?" I shook my head, and she turned to Bianca.

"Can I have a hot chocolate and a stack of pancakes with bacon?" She asked in a voice almost as tired as the waitress'. The waitress wrote down her order as well and promised us that she would be right back.

When she was gone, I looked at Bianca expectantly. She tried to avoid my gaze at first, scanning the diner and its decorations. I almost laughed as I watched her realize that the diner was super small and there wasn't much to look at. But this is serious.

I cleared my throat and she snapped her head to me. I got a little choked up as I finally got a real good look at my friend since she dropped her bomb on me. I could see the stress and anxiety written all over her face, and she had bags under her eyes. It was almost as if telling me her secret has lifted a huge weight off of her shoulders, and she could finally stop acting like she was okay.

I felt my face soften. "Whenever you're ready," I said softly.

Her eyes immediately began to water. "Oh, I don't know what I'm going to do Tracey!" she cried out, burying her face into her hands.

"Hey, it's okay Bianca. I know you can figure this all out," I tried to calm her down. "How did you find out?"

She sniffled and looked up at me. "I had a bad feeling once I was late. I mean, I've been late before, but something just felt off this time. So I bought a pregnancy test, and it came out positive. I didn't want to believe it, so I bought another test. Also positive. At this point I was freaking out, but I figured hey, third time's the charm right? But...that one was also positive."

"How could this have happened? I mean you guys were safe, right?"

She shrugged. "I'm on the pill, and I'm very good about taking it every day. Accidents happen right?"

Part of me wanted to lecture her for not being more careful. I know Bianca left out the part about them using condoms because they haven't been. Part of me really wanted to tell her that the pill isn't always 100% effective and it doesn't hurt to be even more safe, but I knew that wouldn't change the fact that she's pregnant. Lecturing her wouldn't reverse time. The only thing I can do now is be a supportive friend.

The waitress came back with our drinks and Bianca's pancakes. I took a drink of my coffee as I waited for her to get out of earshot again.

"Does Trey know?" I asked quietly.

Bianca paused in the process of putting a piece of pancake into her mouth, and then proceeded to put it in her mouth and chew slowly. That was all the confirmation I needed that Trey had no idea.

"You know you need to tell him, right?" I asked again, sternly. She took another bite of her pancakes.

I gave her my death stare, and she put her fork down in exasperation. "I know oh my gosh Tracey, I know. I just...don't want to tell him today. Let me at least have today to figure out how to tell him."

"Fine. Just as long as you don't leave him in the dark for too long," I said with a sigh. "He deserves to know that you're carrying his child."

"I know."

"Are you... Are you keeping it?" It just occurred to me that Bianca may not even decide to keep this baby. Honestly, I wouldn't even blame her. I know if I were to get pregnant right now I wouldn't be able to handle it. Still, Trey has a right to know.

Bianca never gave me her answer though, because the door chimed, letting us know that someone entered. I turned to see Aiden and Trey walking toward us, and I couldn't tell if I was annoyed or relieved by their presence. Aiden sat down next to me on my side of the booth, and Trey slid in next to Bianca, putting his arm around her and kissing her cheek. Bianca looked like she was going to be sick, but she put on a strained smile. I hope she tells Trey soon for her sake. Keeping a secret from him is obviously making her sick.

I turned to Aiden, getting lost in his face for a moment. Even after a night of partying, he still looked like my own little slice of heaven. His shirt was unbuttoned and his bowtie was hanging around his neck. He gave me a worried look, and I had to refrain from reaching out and caressing his smooth face.

"How did you guys find us?"

Aiden wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. It made me feel safe and warm inside, and I snuggled into him. "Well, both of your houses are too far from Derek's house by foot, so we figured that we would look for places you guys would hang out. This place wasn't too far to drive to, but it must've been quite a walk by foot." He looked at me. "...and you don't have a coat. Jesus Tracey, what were you thinking?"

I rolled my eyes, but smiled at the fact that he was so concerned about me. "I'm fine, aren't I?"

He sighed. "Yeah, you're right."

"You guys ready to go?" Trey spoke up. Bianca looked super tense next to him, and he looked like he was about to explode he was so worried and confused. He obviously knows something is wrong. They have a lot to talk about.

Aiden grabbed a piece of bacon from Bianca's plate and shoved it into his mouth. "Yeah, let's go," he said while simultaneously trying to chew.

We all stared at him and his eyes widened. "What? I was hungry!"

I laughed and we all exited the diner after paying for the food. Aiden drove me home, and after kissing him goodnight, I got out of the car and went inside. My mother was on the couch with her boyfriend Greg or Richard or something like that, drinking champagne and watching tv.

"Happy New Year sweetie!" She exclaimed through a giggle.

I rolled my eyes. "Happy New Year mom and company," I reciprocated while walking up the stairs.

When I got to my room I quickly changed out of my dress and threw on a big, comfy t shirt. I rolled into my bed and shut my eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep.

-

I laid on my bed, mindlessly switching through the channels. There was nothing good on. Tv companies probably think most people are out living productive lives right now. I, however, am not one of those people. I still wish to be entertained.

"Tracey, incoming!" My mom called from downstairs.

I flipped over to see who was about to enter my room. Trey came staggering in, and he sat down on the edge of my bed. I immediately sat up and moved closer to him. He looked miserable. His clothes were wrinkled and his eyes were bloodshot. He had bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in days. His appearance now eerily resembled Bianca's appearance yesterday.

"So she told you," I stated simply.

"That she did," he said miserably. It was then that I noticed his breath reeked of alcohol.

I squinted my eyes. "Are you...drunk?!" I checked my phone. "It's only one in the afternoon Tremaine, are you kidding me?"

He pressed his finger against my mouth. "Shh, don't be so damn loud."

I swatted his hand away. "I'll be as loud as I please. Now talk."

My stern tone seemed to sober him up. His face fell, and he rubbed his face as if he was trying to rub away the alcoholic influence.

"I should've been more careful."

I stayed quiet, because the only thing I could think to say was "Yes, you really should have." But again, that wouldn't change the past. What's done is done.

"What am I going to do?" The question was so simple and to the point. What hurt me to my very core was that I couldn't answer him. This boy was one of the most important people in my life, and I had no advice to offer him in his time of extreme need. I am a terrible friend.

"I don't know," I whispered, ashamed.

Trey's eyes started to water and I watched as one lonely tear slid down his face. I could feel tears of my own burning in my eyes, but I tried to stay strong for him.

"I can't do this Tracey. I can't be a father. I'm only seventeen." Another tear slid down his face.

I took Trey and gently made him lay down in my lap. I stroked his head softly and slowly, allowing him to shed his tears silently. I know he needs to let this out.

After a few minutes of silence, I spoke. "Tremaine Chauncey Carter...you have the ugliest name I have ever heard." I listened as he let out a deep laugh. When we were younger, I always used to make fun of his name. He hated it when we were little, but I knew he would appreciate the memories now.

"Trey, you are one of the strongest people I know. You are not the type to let anything keep you down. You are the big brother I've always wanted, and you are more than what I could've ever imagined. You've always protected me, and you've been here with me through thick and thin. You've been there through my tough times, and you've been there to talk sense into me when I start to act stupid. You have been my support system long before Aiden was in the picture. I find it hard to believe that a guy as amazing as you won't naturally be a good father."

Trey sniffled, and I tried hard not to let out an obnoxious aww. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

I smiled. "That's just part of being a good friend."

There was a comfortable silence. I continued stroking his head because I knew it was calming. I knew that he was better now though. Things would get harder for him from here on out, but I know he'll be able to handle it. He'll have Bianca, Aiden, David, and I to help him through this. I have no idea how to deal with teenage pregnancy, but I'll be damned if I don't do my best to help my two best friends.

"It's crazy how your whole life can change in an instant," Trey commented thoughtfully.

"Yeah, it really is."

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Hey guys! So, what did you think?

I know this chapter was a little bit heavy, but what can I say? It's life.

So, the next chapter is going to skip ahead a little bit, just because I'm trying to end the book in a few chapters. Just a heads up.

Happy reading! Vote, comment, share!

Thea :)

 *Song for this chapter is Have My Baby by Lloyd because I just wanted to lighten the mood of this chapter, lol (sorry if you don't get my humor). Plus, I loved this song way back when. Ahh, nostalgia.